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Sore throat — what to take?

Sore throat (odynophagia) usually arises from a viral infection (80-90% of cases) or more rarely a bacterial one (beta-haemolytic streptococcus). Most episodes resolve in 5-7 days with symptomatic treatment.

5 recommended OTC drugs
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OTC — no prescription

What you can take for sore throat

Informativ. Nu înlocuiește sfatul medicului. Consultă medicul sau farmacistul înainte de a lua orice medicament.

Causes of sore throat

The most common causes are viral infections - common cold, flu, adenovirus, Epstein-Barr virus. They are recognised by association with runny nose, cough, sneezing, mild fever. Antibiotics do NOT help in viral infections.

Bacterial pharyngitis (especially streptococcal) presents with sudden onset, high fever, absence of cough, enlarged cervical lymph nodes, deposits on the tonsils. It is diagnosed with a rapid test and treated with antibiotics.

Other causes: gastro-oesophageal reflux, dry air, smoking, allergies, night-time mouth breathing.

OTC medicines for sore throat

Lozenges with hexetidine or benzydamine (Strepsils, Tantum Verde) quickly relieve local pain and have mild antiseptic action. Sprays with benzydamine give immediate relief. Lozenges with ambroxol also have mild mucolytic effect.

Systemic analgesics - ibuprofen 400 mg or paracetamol 1000 mg - reduce pain and fever and are the most effective for severe odynophagia. Saltwater gargles (1 tablespoon of salt in 250 ml warm water) are a scientifically validated traditional remedy.

What also helps

  • Honey with lemon (caution: not for children under 1 year - botulism risk).
  • Abundant hydration, warm teas with ginger or chamomile.
  • Humidifying bedroom air.
  • Avoid passive smoking and dry air.

When antibiotics are needed

Antibiotics are only given for bacterial pharyngitis confirmed by rapid strep test or positive pharyngeal swab. Standard treatment: amoxicillin 10 days or penicillin V. If you are allergic - macrolides (azithromycin, clarithromycin). Never start antibiotics prophylactically - it increases bacterial resistance.

Medical disclaimer: the information in this guide is for informational purposes only and does not replace the advice of a physician or pharmacist. For diagnosis and treatment, consult a healthcare professional.

Nights, weekends, holidays

24/7 pharmacies for sore throat

Sore throat doesn't wait for office hours. If you need a medicine at 2 AM or on a weekend, open the map with the 24/7 filter on and find the nearest on-call pharmacy. Major cities have several round-the-clock pharmacies — the per-city pages below list them all, with address, phone and verified opening hours.

Call ahead before you leave, especially at night — on-call schedules can change and stock for some prescription items may be limited between deliveries.

Search the pharmacy

Medicine categories for sore throat

Step by step

How to find a pharmacy fast for sore throat

Open the interactive map and grant location permission — you'll immediately see pharmacies sorted by distance, each with its opening hours and a one-tap route in Google Maps. If it's night or a weekend, switch on the 24/7 filter to keep only the on-call ones. For sore throat most of the listed remedies are over the counter, so you can walk in without a prescription, but check stock and prices first to avoid wasted trips.

If you have a preferred active ingredient (paracetamol, ibuprofen, etc.), search it in the comparator before you leave — you'll see which chain has it cheapest near you and whether it's in stock. For chronic prescriptions, save your favourite pharmacy in the app and turn on hours notifications — it saves unnecessary trips, especially when treatment for sore throat runs over weeks.

When to see a doctor

If any of these signs appear, consult a doctor — OTC treatment is not enough:

  • Severe difficulty swallowing or breathing
  • Fever above 39°C not responding to antipyretics
  • Large, painful cervical lymphadenopathy
  • Pain persisting beyond 7 days
  • Abundant white deposits appearing on the tonsils
  • Associated skin rash (suspected scarlet fever)

Frequently asked

Common questions

Do I need an antibiotic for sore throat?
In 80-90% of cases NO - it is a viral infection. Antibiotics are only given for bacterial pharyngitis confirmed by rapid test or positive culture for streptococcus.
How long does a viral sore throat last?
Usually 5-7 days, peaking on days 2-3. If it lasts more than 7-10 days or worsens, it requires medical evaluation.
Do saltwater gargles help?
Yes, it is a validated remedy - it reduces local inflammation and clears secretions. One tablespoon of salt in 250 ml of lukewarm water, gargle 3-4 times a day.
Can I give Strepsils to a 4-year-old?
Many throat lozenges are indicated only from age 6. For small children use syrups, teas with honey (over 1 year) and paediatric doses of paracetamol/ibuprofen.

See also

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